Pipe Tobacco Review – Hearth & Home Marquee El Nino

A few weeks ago, when I started working with the P&C team, Russ knew my fondness of strong bold flavors and leaf, so he handed me a tin of Hearth & Home’s El Nino. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

I selected an Argo Rhodesian to test this blend in. The tin aroma was sweet with a hint of spice. The Virginias, he told me, are supported by a hefty measure of dark fired Kentucky and my beloved Perique.

At first match there’s a blast of sweetness followed by a spice I couldn’t put my finger on. I’m sure the sweetness was delivered by the perfectly balanced tuning of Virginias and Perique, the bold body produced by the dark-fired Kentucky, but what is this wonderful spiciness weaving in and out of sweet flavors of toasted nuts and raisin? Finally it dawns on me – ”Russ , I swear there’s Latakia in this”! “You may be right “ he answered, “just a kiss.” A touch at that, and deftly applied. I don’t usually smoke Latakia as a matter of my smoking course though out the day but this blend has hit the mark for me. It tingled all my taste buds, and burned cool with the balanced body of a good meal. So if you’re on the fence, and want to try something with Latakia but not a bomb like so many out there, give El Nino a taste.

You’ll not be disappointed. I’m looking forward to a starry summer night and a chance to dream with this newfound blend. Enjoy!